What is frighten? Pronunciation and usage in English

frighten means . Learn how to pronounce and use frighten through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of frighten

frightenverb

/ˈfrʌɪtn/
Definition & pronunciation of frighten

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "frighten." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Sounds:

  • “F”: As in "fun" – a clear, sharp “f” sound.
  • “R”: This is a rhotacized “r.” This means it’s a rolled “r,” similar to the Spanish “r.” You vibrate your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Don't just tap it lightly! It’s a slightly buzzing sound.
  • “I”: As in "it" - a short “i” sound.
  • “GHT”: This is the tricky part! It's pronounced like "t." It doesn't sound like "g" as in "go." It's a very short, soft "t" sound.
  • “EN”: As in "pen" – a short “e” sound.

2. Putting it Together - The Rhythm & Emphasis:

The word flows like this:

“fright-en”

  • Emphasis: The primary stress is on the first syllable: “FRIGHT”
  • Speed: Say it relatively quickly. Don’t drag out any of the sounds.

3. Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • The Rolled "R": This is crucial. If you just say "fright-ten," you’re not saying "frighten." Practicing the rolled “r” is key. You can find videos online showing how to roll your “r”.
  • Don’t say "g" after the “t”: Many people naturally try to pronounce "fright-gen," which is incorrect. It's genuinely just "fright-ten."
  • Short vowels: Keep the “i” and “e” sounds short and crisp.

4. Listen to Examples:

  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce frighten" on Google. You’ll find audio clips from Merriam-Webster, Cambridge Dictionary, and other reliable sources. Hearing native speakers is incredibly helpful.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/frighten/ : This website lets you hear the word pronounced by native speakers from different regions.

Resources for Practicing the Rolled "R":

  • YouTube: Search "how to roll your r" - there are many excellent tutorials.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the word for you?
  • Give you a more detailed explanation of the "r" sound?

Usage and examples with the word frighten in English

Let's break down how to use the word "frighten" in English. It's a slightly tricky word because it has a primary and a less common related meaning.

1. The Primary Meaning: To cause fear or alarm

This is the most common usage. "Frighten" means to make someone feel afraid or scared.

  • Structure: [subject] frighten [object]
  • Examples:
    • "The loud noise frightened the baby." (The noise caused fear in the baby.)
    • "Don't frighten the horse – it's easily startled." (Don't make it afraid.)
    • "The horror movie frightened me to death." (It made me extremely afraid.)
    • "The sudden dark frightened her." (The darkness made her feel fear.)

2. The Less Common (and More Formal) Meaning: To startle or shock

"Frighten" can also mean to startle someone, causing a sudden, brief feeling of surprise or shock. This usage tends to be a bit more formal than simply "scare."

  • Structure: [subject] frighten [object] (same as above)
  • Examples:
    • "The unexpected question frightened him out of his answer." (He was startled and forgot what to say.)
    • “The touch frightened the little mouse.” (It startled the mouse, making it jump.)
    • “The loud bang frightened the dog.” (The bang made the dog jump with surprise.)

Key Differences & Synonyms:

Word Meaning Intensity Tone
Frighten Cause fear/alarm Moderate Neutral
Scare Cause fear/alarm Varies Neutral
Startle Sudden surprise Mild Neutral
Shock Sudden surprise/impact Strong Can be negative
Terrify Cause intense fear High Dramatic
Appall Cause strong dismay High Strong, upset

Important Notes:

  • "Frightened" (Past Participle) vs. "Frighten" (Verb): Don't confuse the verb "frighten" with the past participle "frightened."

    • "The puppy was frightened." (past participle - describes a state of being)
    • "He frightened the cat." (verb - an action)

  • "Frighten" is often considered slightly stronger than "scare." "Scare" is generally a lighter form of causing fear.

Resources for More Practice:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you trying to use "frighten" in? (e.g., a story, a conversation, an essay?)

Synonyms for the word frighten

Idioms of the word frighten

frighten/scare the (living) daylights out of somebody
(informal)to frighten somebody very much
    frighten/scare the life out of somebody
    (informal)to frighten somebody very much
    • You scared the life out of me coming in so suddenly like that.
    frighten/scare somebody to death
    (informal)to frighten somebody very much
    • Spiders frighten him to death.

    Practice with vocabulary frighten

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The sudden loud noise from the construction site managed to __________ the new interns, who weren't expecting it.
    2. Despite the intimidating appearance of the senior manager, his calm demeanor during the crisis did not __________ anyone.
    3. The sheer volume of data presented at the meeting seemed to __________ some of the less experienced analysts.
    4. After the security breach, the CEO's timely announcement helped to __________ stakeholders that measures were being taken.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. The unexpected downturn in the market trends began to __________ investors, prompting many to re-evaluate their portfolios. a) encourage b) reassure c) frighten d) motivate

    2. During the high-stakes negotiation, the opposing team's aggressive tactics were designed to __________ our representatives into making concessions. a) frighten b) intimidate c) appease d) calm

    3. The news report detailed how the sudden system crash did not just __________ users, but also caused significant data loss across the network. a) surprise b) concern c) alarm d) frighten

    4. When developing risk assessments, it's crucial to identify potential hazards that could __________ operations and lead to unforeseen complications. a) impede b) facilitate c) enhance d) streamline

    5. The company's consistent failure to meet deadlines started to __________ stakeholders about its long-term viability. a) reassure b) comfort c) appease d) worry

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The unexpected drop in stock prices caused widespread panic among investors. (Rewrite using a form of "frighten")

    2. The intense pressure of the presentation made the new team leader very nervous. (Rewrite using a form of "frighten")

    3. The latest market analysis suggests a significant risk of economic instability. (Rewrite, replacing "suggests a significant risk" with a single, suitable verb that is NOT "frighten")

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. frighten
    2. frighten
    3. intimidate
    4. reassure

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. c) frighten
    2. a) frighten, b) intimidate
    3. c) alarm, d) frighten
    4. a) impede
    5. d) worry

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The unexpected drop in stock prices frightened investors.
    2. The new team leader was frightened by the intense pressure of the presentation.
    3. The latest market analysis warns of economic instability.

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